The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmKt49LC0E
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0Ur0uJMqg
Even though Juke and I weren't affected, the other's faces were considerably downtrodden. Some members were now left without a partner and had to team up with people they weren't very familiar with. Morale was low, especially since our leaders were missing.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZcP7H1Yf6
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IY5CCDGxF
The remaining group was small, too. Only about eight people were left, meaning that, with the five remaining floors, some were simply required to take them alone. There was chatter of moving as a single unit, taking on each room as a whole rather than having forces split from the group, but others countered that doing so would be abandoning an order and that we had to "trust our other members."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FpZNYzuPN
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbejYFgrbUg
As for me, my nerves only spiked. The image of all those fallen bringers was engraved into my mind, and I desperately tried to keep the word "corpse" out of my head. Over and over, telling myself that they were simply unconscious when the right side of my mind constantly told me otherwise–
**SLAP**282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS3fBfwNvT
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKGCMbQUIu
"Ack!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ2FLne5BF
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08XobtZjIa
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48Gedih6Fa
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwqyILZCz4
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT51m8y93W
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCVJjz2pfn
I steeled whatever I had left of my resolve and kept trudging through the stairs. I had a complete vision of the crowd, and it made it apparent just how thinned out it had become. To my great dismay, I could even see Rover.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbqGPhcdgz
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDiWJUOder
"...Useless–!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy3txVw8pv
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvluX6mnQ5
I tried not to think about anything that. I knew I couldn't suspend it for long, but every second I could force my legs forward was valuable. So I ran and ran and ran and ran and–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlLK4JhugO
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk1pkQ5DSn
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPXDTZsYPE
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WAkMjvY58
And it was someone I recognized282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfuzeqQsIm
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRR0kLHDc6
–
–
–
The most grueling part of this siege hadn't been the laborious running. It hadn't been the various enemies, the threat of death or even seeing allies fall like flies in the previous ambush. No, for Rover, it was restraint.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEc07hSyEw
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f699wISgT
To do nothing in the face of Hard-Bringer gave her near-uncontrollable rage. Those she swore she'd see crumble, running amok and stealing lives as they always have, unable to even point her weapon at them. If it weren't for those looming words by that wimpy child, resting in the corners of her mind like spiders, she would've caved in.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BZ42xqdqx
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXjP8oTBKC
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEstGFt2qKC
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbCrkScett
"Hi."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgWQaNH2DK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdvXwa8EJM
As she raced up the steps, a man in glasses only a little taller announced himself. She could see him facing her in her peripheral, and though her habits urged her not to, she matched his gaze.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4vsG0bD5M
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sJH9mFrf0
"What!?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr95ep7s21C
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZUC86fGU9
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4P8KlESD7
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITJvhMKfpL
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpZuMtcOJs
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwPCpmRMeS
His nervous expression didn't loosen one bit. When Rover tried a softer face, the sweat on his brow multiplied. Rover gave up appearances, quickly discarding dismissive dialogue before her introduction.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOFUdJGTCK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA8qXBSgtb
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlFofpKz3E
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg8nk6tCrv
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU3QYVwKnk
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDMJYQeNlE
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgpgm7aP8a
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJeUOkbFpy
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq7r1CAKcM
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa23REN1S2t
He raised his right hand, one that clutched a metal collar with a tag. Rover knew immediately who it belonged to, and the unusual idea of consolement entered her mind.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMMygew5Wy
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlB5KpZ78O
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADT4pQxEeE
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezW3dJXVMj
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrlvyM8QqV
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP5oB8enk5
He kept a smile with those words, but his eyes lacked the light to convince her. He turned his head away, and the two of them kept running up with their usual worries.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89bpS7ehON
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrnJ8tGo4Z
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fJ28MepWg
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAVyg0fn70
"The next room's up ahead!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYHIWzgEk6
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQpQjsetTo
She had been in this scene nearly a dozen times already. And each time, she dreaded it. Sprinting to that door, knowing that there would be a monster in man's skin. She swallowed that dread like before, and each time, it poisoned her blood further and further.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95zO4pv2U7
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBPBD6FcBJ
The crowd made it to the room. It was relatively small, but an immediate feature was the giant stained windows, granting a tinted view of the city outside. Rover gave minimum attention to the stature of the room, however, because there, by the exit, sat a man who could only be described as–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ540MPyKCuG
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ImyxBoHZ
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnElcCR8t4M
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHoXpwQ7bt
Rover glanced behind her, realizing that Juke was the one to yell that. She saw Kenny near him, huffing with his hands on his kneecaps.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuolF1UUWed
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepMeWcPu3t
A titan. It was a familiar word. She heard it from the stories her mother told her. But, of course, there were no titans in King's Peak, only tales of them.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nXbp86QWN
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyuZsgfhjD
But, even if it was only in name, the titan a man was. A member of Hard-Bringer with such size, and his head nearly reached the ceiling when he stood. Such monstrous height intimidated nearly everyone, but for Rover, it was the opposite.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuFyXHcYAR
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1JIzjaRf9
Rover recognized that height. Rover recognized that build, even though it was concealed by robes, and as the man went to pull his hoodie down, the face that appeared only confirmed her intuition.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kt52xJAWy
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfUt80jebJ
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqokJIvxh4z
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLhgIhkVY5
The towering man stopped his speech, compelled by the dashing girl with a rapier in hand. She leaped forward and stuck her foot out, but the man blocked the kick by raising his arm. Rover then thrust her blade, and the man narrowly dodged by tilting his head. However, his angled head was grabbed by her free arm, and through a feat unexpected of her size–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqUIgkYiu9
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpFHr6k9op
**THUD**282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdH7cGuYjI
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinuC2PhCMN
She shoved the man down to the ground. She immediately followed with a thrust, but she only caught his robe, and the man scurried away.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWska35Jr4
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07qvPqFWaC
"...Same tricks as always."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ73imbtIV3
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutLmv1ydHq
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XGKVDVk2n
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0dJfxEg1f
"Hoh– it is you. You!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvok9wZDPVA
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXrlTPZUEo
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCIFeLqiC4
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBPRuaeEkj
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZS6jim29O
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp61EWn4Z44
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3cV00VFxu
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBN9zuwhQl
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v5sgg1Z6F
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEonveBNUdb
Rover pointed her weapon at the man, a clear warning to stay in place. The man obliged without much resistance, and Rover turned her head to make sure everyone would leave. But then she noticed how Nigel didn't move one inch to that door, and his use of 'we' only just registered in her mind.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjkFtUJRL0
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8SuQoCPM3
"Nigel."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUROpgKLNb
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FELoVdjf8
"Yes?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBRqfTFqgK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNp6BqBz0X
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5oVuoF3xH
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TjP9uxZ83
"...You're kidding me, certainly."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvuiOGcP2E
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJwingulSa
Rover shook her head back and forth.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kdv3M2pOS
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvacAa70Kv
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf47YeqCKYh
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIDQc4Gck7
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDqdllrlAj
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CNprUycer
"You fought him before, then?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXIiOIa4AK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFef3623Zh
Rover quickly nodded. Nigel looked at the man with a constrained face, balling his hands into shaking fists. After an irritated, almost hopeless sigh, he complied. But not before one final word.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY19vUPgP5M
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdD7aZ7Umi
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC5CSZ4rOD
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6rMbELgHL
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg6C7XEIky
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPhhDLpfbD
"Very well! Don't die on me!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy7f0ZoDVp
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4oONaYCsQ
His opening words caught Rover like a chain. It reminded her of that moron's scolding, forced her to consider her vow– her earnest word that she'd cooperate –and inquired why she didn't abide by them. But Rover answered that inquiry easily.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd5N8FXnaK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JfAoh6xJx
This man wasn't just a Bringer. She had a history with him. This man was an enemy. A bipedal wretch, barely human, who boiled her blood and furrowed her brows.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tl3f9jrqz
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBMQNEpsmd
No, now she was certain of it. This monster had to fall to her hands; anyone else would just be a hindrance. So she would take him alone, as she always had.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNHfkqM3GP
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8IVSVzqF8
She looked back one last time, making sure that only she and the man were in the room. Nigel was gone, but to her surprise, there was still another member of the crowd there. He drew particular attention. Standing between the exit, not quite leaving it, with clear indecision festering within.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qhclrlqol
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1eSawIRf4
"Rover," Kenny suddenly shouted. Her eyes moved to his face, constricted and complicated. She was compelled to call it a scowl, but no scorn was in Kenny's face. Only concern, and disappointment.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRc1vqnKi2
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeUMnTpymr
Even without hearing it, Rover knew his words. It suddenly was difficult, to see his face like that. Now, the embodiment of that vow was staring directly into her. Not just at her eyes, no– she felt the observation of her soul.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLJLPuZAwn
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdN1NiiXQd
"..."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5XEWzaX3d
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLH1gWwYKA
It was suddenly difficult to do anything. And yet, the feelings that burned within her formed too great an inferno to douse. If that boy took two steps further into this room, or even one, she felt like she would lash out. She felt like– she knew she would yell at him not to butt in, to mind his own business, to go fuck himself, and to leave her alone. Words that she had slung candidly before. Words that she knew better than family.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgZnh0yTuI
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EtKDzhEKU
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM0nZ4WnxG
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qo1prV7Ma
"Fine. Good luck!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6EXhtZl7v
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAiLBEAEA2
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWPzp2i5hd
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0qKuxbH1u
**THUD**282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVtmWQic9S
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwwD6rZWSz
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRSwQ9LTra
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoBQZBVllt
There came a sudden strike from her front, but it was one that she blocked. She freed her rapier from the struggle and backed away, brandishing her weapon and sliding a leg back into a stance.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGGR0skTuK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRNmrwAlA8
"Are you ready," the man asked, a boorish smirk on his face. She could almost see the swirls in his eyes, the way they lost any reason, seeing only combat and carnage as they always had.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SUcZdtTAh
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRvE6yU4ZD
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie2lPisQlA
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeEdc7LQLq
"Come at me, Boris!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8woZmwQKm
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk1ymTYlfK
–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoPFqNQAbP
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGyqptnZlk
–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4252Hys0q
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oRbAAS1En
–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHXBE6NLbH
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvgUBFHvnB
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEBJQH1Uks
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNHW6Z4K6Y
Rover knew of their volatile unpredictability. But she was always prepared for it. Even on that street, when they made their audacious announcement, Rover hadn't a shocked bone in her body. But to see Boris utterly defied expectations. She wished she had more time, maybe a moment to sharpen the tip of her rapier, to check the grip on her dagger. But it was too late now, and as she took her first step into battle, she lost all leeway to care.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4gkGkkO3v
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa873S5AQ9G
Boris contested her dash. As he charged forth his smaller stature expanded slightly. He leaped forward, but it wasn't to tackle or to grab. He swung his hips and turned ninety degrees, unbending his legs for a sudden drop kick.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3FJwBoUxV
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40fn0VuseO
Rover blocked it with her hands. His increased size made the blow harder to cope with, but she still only slid a foot back. Now on the ground, Rover seized the opportunity to stab at the man. She thrust once, and her sword was met with the sole of his boot.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUAKmAgZEF
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bTXPhefCW
"Huh!?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNwLWFGruA
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap194wA1aq
He spun onto his belly, catching himself with his hands, using her rapier as a borrowed axel. He pushed himself off the ground with enough force that, even with his lack of leverage, he flew as a battering ram toward her. Rover's rapier nearly snapped under the pressure, but she moved it away before its steel blade turned into a wobbly tube. She ducked Boris' charge, but he grabbed onto her rapier, swinging back around and destroying Rover's balance. Rover, however, had only one hand on that Rapier.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ag4CAen9h
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDInbkug0V
"Hah!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoCaVIZD6d
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhH8DpqA3M
She used her other to grab her dagger and stabbed at the man. He took the blow unceremoniously, even growing to lessen it, and she was sure it hurt by the subsequent grunt. He flew off her rapier a solid few meters away, taking Rover's dagger with his body.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jl57BdyeK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy8d3KtblA
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo0pWaX0H2
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGW7d9fF8s
"Here!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5ZeRWmq8k
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteZhhbZbJP
Boris dislodged her dagger and he chucked it like a throwing knife. Rover caught it at one of its crossguards, but as she was distracted with doing so, the man performed mana spinning.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL2QG6ryVW
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMYjnAs3WT
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxZdWlGjmo
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEYmVLaQdi
"Tch."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYKG8SoARf
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSjhsLwMzw
Boris returned to his former size. He stroked his chin, tending to his thoughts as he stared down Rover. She afforded him no time and charged forth. She thrust her rapier once, met with a jerk away, and thrust it again. She repeated her thrusts, each of which dodged but less comfortably each subsequent attempt. Rover knew him better, however. She knew that right as she thought she'd get him, he would pull an underhanded trick. So she assumed the eyes of an analyst, narrowing them and gazing at Boris like a hunting cat.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrg7aCGyNr
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdKLECnwhk
**CLANG**282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOJ9i965hW
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErbMMpk89y
And that trick came. Boris caught her thin rapier between his hands, clamping it so fiercely that the metal would snap any moment. But Rover's stance suffered no blow, and poised to strike back, she slung her leg from her side. The blow struck Boris right under the rib, and from his obvious wince, the damage wasn't meaningless.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98VLz9QItr
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2doJE2Ym0
She struck again quickly, sliding her rapier out and using the butt of its hilt like a rock, smacking Boris square in the face. Boris reeled from the blow and took a few steps away, but Rover swung her arm back and straightened her Rapier, honing in for a vicious thrust.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJudj7YsDAs
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lTyHMj5LF
That thrust, however, had been dodged. And the force Rapier stockpiled only sent her tumbling to the ground. She never landed, though, because a sudden fist to the face replaced her embarrassing fall with a punitive flight. She soared across the room, disoriented, anchoring herself on the floor with her Rapier right before colliding with a wall.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBCiS3YccZ
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ21TLTkLM7
As she gathered her bearings, she saw Boris charging forth with a puffed chest. Only, it wasn't puffed, but swollen to inhuman degrees. The image of a bull came to her mind, and for a moment she was paralyzed. But she shook the intimidation off and stepped away, missing a blow that–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe7w7YAifI
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfklqYDMiS
**SMASH**282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg75PcpUBh
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20rsxOLeYf
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuG4vk5Fjn
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR4Vy4G1fV
"Ack. Shit!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQoi4IyXhx
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYD9Vj1uTj
Rover realized his reckless gesture was an attempt at an early victory, but she was too energized to fall prey to it, and now Boris was only more hurt.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8Ksa77SOT
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI716WFM2UZ
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIZIjpQrJ8
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6IOAOkLSH
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm2ZkYozJI
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iDDD4oBbk
"But not enough."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSZh7Jl9nI
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfG2QeR30e
"--!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaBTMtpj5Z
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByhZS7TakO
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWTf1cNgbW
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwlEHIfgX2
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSLAWVVmy9
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGU4WWZFSM
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjm15BIwOS
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i1mOaIUOL
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KOuUUXyBK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFo4U8BSiX
Her jittering mouth couldn't open to respond. So badly did she want to deny it, to call him out for being coy. But to do so, would just be to lie.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmGJzf54sD
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4nChWyLSn
"I remember when you and I first met. Back in those ivory fields, when I offered you a home, you scowled at me and called me scum. That a bringer like me ought "282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGzhBs6qY1
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Amhui1a14
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XfBKv1EyR
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jzS5tH1ZD
He smirked. He placed his hands behind his shoulders, closing his eyes. Rover didn't understand what he was doing, and that worried her. That worried her deeply because she thought she knew every trick this monster could pull. She thought she knew every ace up his sleeve, every nook and cranny of his capacity.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0ocxFTxUy
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkIwujMUzy
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xDWX135SW
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnqc4L4IRp
From the back of his shoulders, cylindrical masses of earth formed, taking shapes and morphing as his hands moved outward. His arms stopped just above his chest, and as he lowered his arms, Rover's eyes blew open, her clenched throat vomiting a gasp.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK0OW1mAEp
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxzxwR41QW
"You talked so much of this goal of yours. Of how you'd beat me. Of how you'd prove yourself to me and all of my colleagues."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkZkj44zJj
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNuXdNTFtq
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx6xbvqSpu
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FR5DzzQaJ
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iSJcqmEsk
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wULcl8K7l
"--Fine!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DYHz5SJ91
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdxAQUyhcY
Though the doubling of his limbs was obviously intimidating, Rover tried not to be dissuaded by his appearance. She charged forth, dagger now firmly in hand. After all, if she fought the new Boris with a stale arsenal, she'd be crushed.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi1LFGV1GK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr6brhpjaX
She began with a thrust, and immediately it was caught by one of Boris' earthly arms, not budging an inch. He bent his legs and threw a regular punch at Rover, one she avoided with a backstep. Her rapier was now confiscated, and she watched Boris raise it with his earthen arms.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrj8l7LJLV
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB6sBk6WJi
Something inside urged her to scream in defiance. To yell at that man not to do it, but she pushed that unburied temptation down with a commanding glare. Gazing at Boris as he snapped the rapier like a twig.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DxECW5u12
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIXvzpJ1UZ
"Well," he asked, "what now?" He threw the split rapier to the side and taunted Rover, daring her to come closer. Rover didn't fall for the taunt, because what she had was not rage– at least, not at the man before her.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvst3v48iy
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ1FHbB5wq
Rather, her shaking fists were directed at herself. She raised the dagger and looked at it. Despite its needle-like blade, the curved cross-guards made it a poor tool for thrusting. This was her only weapon. This and her fists, anyway, but if her past had taught her anything, it was that fists were a futile tool against him.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKe9yhbHpI
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YmaVXeZYa
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQycQ3TIjcJ
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99F5QzCBM3
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lgbzSGvC1
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ399khyVVKQ
Yes, her remaining weapon was better suited to defense. Yes, she was physically weaker than Boris. But if her kit made it so that she lived and died by the presence of her rapier, she would've gone all those years traveling King's Peak for nothing.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rNXh5JU6y
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9YgDbrwxy
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl6AgjPNyI
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5ctQ5wNHt
Her free hand latched onto the strap around her waist, turning it and revealing the satchel that had gone unnoticed by Boris. Unzipping it and reaching for its contents, Rover pulled out an item that made his eyes widen. A thin, elongated, but sturdy vial, one that fits comfortably into Rover's palm.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauqUhOwWI7
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacD4jqzbz6
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjYbWYBXny
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLavfL3FdH
"Come and find out!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFilx3U28vf
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8nQ3mgr1d
And for the first time in the battle, Boris broke the neutral state, dashing at Rover with arms blazing. A result that came at the worst time possible. Because, although Rover revealed her condition for victory, not a single thought of how to use it came to her mind. And thus, she panicked.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapHupNUBQA
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErlXJVKVuw
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioTHuexsB9
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcc8Ix2Zn4
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidaJqXcv2R
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzUAGMKAz1
Rover dismissed those venomous words. Or at the very least, she tried to, but its potent bite was felt throughout her body like the mountains of sweat her brow was producing. She had no idea what to do. For a moment she doubted that she remembered what the vial even contained. But one look at it, at its orange hue that signified distinct divergence, assured Rover that much.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnSl0KU2np
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9oNuZ9gpG
And then, the answer came to her. The wave of panic crashed with the gentle grace of summer water. She stuck the dense vial in her mouth and turned around.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC0DVAgVIm
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVUZVWdb6y
"Finally!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L2FlKjlxf
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkNZ6txS7C
Boris threw his earthen arms directly at her, which Rover dodged. In a bent position, Boris brought both his arms up to uppercut. Rover blocked one fist with her palm and stabbed through the other.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg8NVxN2qK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCODHNNk2I
"--Ack! Shit!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DZQEG05NU
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaHZnPGJup
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVph0jJwnX
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuXwk90JeN
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2R30sPjHW
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7IbDa0hgl
And then a profound smile found itself on her face. He backed away to perform mana spinning potent enough only to close his wound. Those broken fingers were just what she needed.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHYjrgrWUw
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hP58lSUGO
She performed a swift dash, closing the gap between Boris and her. He immediately put his earthen arms up as a guard, disjointed just enough from his body to make an attack impossible. Rover thought this sudden focus on defense as suspicious, even as the mana spinning on his hand gave her a reason, so she dared not approach without caution. After all, with how volatile his size changes were, he could–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQb5J93neN
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZgtribgYK
"...!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCkLIyT8To
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawNaiPMPDL
Her past experience came to the forefront of her mind, and now she observed her reality with a perplexed perspective. He barely altered his size throughout this fight. He stopped only when–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYttb3udoHo
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpbd0Xsx3K
"Ah-ha!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N7MHucQPL
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEZ5iPkNjK
Though her profession of understanding was muffled by the glass between her teeth, it made the rise of her confidence no less explosive. She seemingly threw all caution to the wind, charging forth directly into his earthen arms. Boris dashed away, keeping Rover at a distance, but to no avail. Her speedy struts caught up to his back peddling quickly, and instead of attacking, Rover grabbed the earthen hands.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb96Ydu4Yre
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOSFpdWkzt
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPyWmxXZ4y
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxej7Pl2Ag
**THUD**282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC5FZVhHer
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtsCi9GpdO
"Urk!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWSmof9up9
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XNI1tX2eo
Using those arms like a swing, she propelled her feet into Boris' gut. But she didn't stop there. Because there was no better opportunity to do this than now. She pulled the glass right out of her mouth and popped the lid open, throwing it at Boris as she fell to the floor and rolled away.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rLv1kP19R
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQM8J87vGE
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RDVP11YwO
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CsoqHtm56
"Huh?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRYRKJrnmS
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCOeG6fSBq
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWihcQkmPj
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXTYzXrdun
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1qKK0QWcn
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiul9JYkjoj
Boris broke into a bellowing laughter. He held his gut not only to soothe the pain but to hold back his chuckles. Rover knew he would've pointed at her had one of his arms not suffered damage, and though that made her bitter, she kept herself composed for the moment.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEXhH3TFCB
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKd2z72GVl
Boris quit his laughter, wiping a few tears out of his eyes. The orange cloud permeated slowly, so it still was rather thick, but that didn't dissuade Boris from sticking his head in and smelling it like morning air.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQMDQytpqO
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K7CJsgt9A
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgviUXFRbP
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtigEzVvJes
Boris threw his arms wide.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcRBDXLrrz
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx1TbfXYKo
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gIrDTBX0a
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFAEE6hmNs
In a flash, as he spoke, as the spit flew out of his face, and as the lids of his eyes closed to blink, he raised his leg one step forward. With that leg, his body followed right after, crashing into the dust of orange, spreading it just far enough that it contacted the earthen arms.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHU9CMqdE4
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwumzHKRMX
And then the magic happened.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCLTMNphTj
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkZFspAVhd
**BOOM**282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4e0IFvqab
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9QM27MxeP
That cloud of dust erupted with volcanic ferocity, an explosion so small, yet so extreme that Rover struggled to keep her footing. A great cloud of smoke took the place of Boris' body, and Rover looked on with the slimiest grin she had ever worn.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg2QlhrwtC
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUazLihmjUe
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikV9Ddhx3q
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFdNJ36P3H
She stood up and wiped whatever junk found itself on her shoulder. She approached the site of the explosion, and just like in her memories, it was near heatless. She didn't get too close, however. Just close enough to see Boris' crisps, when that cloud of dust would eventually fade.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82O3NI4nhW
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLFMZ64YaC
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFZzACHZaJ
And indeed, that cloud of dust faded. It faded rather fast. But then Rover realized it wasn't that the dust faded. Rather, something had stolen its spot.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIgakKgKei
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QXuJoZXik
The arm of a titan, reaching out for her, with its open palm like a claw. Rover's instincts forced her body to dash away. Then she stood and watched. Watched as a hulking mass exited the site of the explosion.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHWIl4zsOK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQATYahxQpI
Then, it shrunk.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UVoAbYzGy
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkQPqycQRz
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMZ7DXSWNK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OoQ143Gde
Boris' robes were gone. Cinders, undeniably. Then was the leather armor Rover knew he always wore. That was gone too. The only article of clothing that remained were his pants, and even they were hardly intact. He was covered in burns blistered the likes of which she'd never seen, and his earthen arms were now missing. By all strings of reasoning, Rover should've dashed in and dealt the final blow. But she couldn't.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUQRjZXAMV
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pdINfIkmU
Come to think of it, it was the first time she'd seen a part of his body aside from his face. And now she felt as if she just discovered a new man. Because all around Boris' torso was a carpet of gaping, sporadic holes.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VdhZFR5Nm
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTghZHzoml
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudrNMZkrVY
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiwhxDNYL4
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrneHt2PrGx
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07WMrFwUro
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH0M3kcwHI
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJGozkfbCi
Boris raised his unbroken arm. He began mana spinning, forming a brick of earth in his hand. And then, from the large hole centered at his navel, the very same brick spewed out and plummeted to the ground.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLGXrxrkgd
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCsPgTmtqo
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HKHEWxpeX
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u8m0zcY3U
"Those arms I formed made for a dandy shield, wouldn't you say? Though of course, you hit me in the last place it spawned. Lucky you."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKTTnnVMuO
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKVWgbSHET
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNgWnm0enb
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgEJxtVEn3
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlndpyn2Dtl
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHRwuk8wgA
He dropped the brick in his hand right as another spewed out. He wound his arm, as if to stretch it, then gazed at Rover with the eyes of a monster.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwbkh4iJkh
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyXSDgncbz
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMqwJDNBWK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq9Yn6CQ51
"...Freak."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlbGDpdq3b
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFkhtHKZtH
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51bhLQARrF
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HjgOdsxVr
"And just look at how right I was."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeArnw8xrm1
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6gq85dg2t
A hearty chuckle came from him.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooZFFKjKqy
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCddizp7Sku
"Well, that won't do you any good."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iUaFQ0y0j
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVHwO9BYQA
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDmj62bspg
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJZcYkkoWR
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGSkNtMpGN
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpM17nWF67
She put one leg forward.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkazOeeVXf
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvFFN2TAfZ
"You've got brains since the last time we met. At least, more than I expected. You used them well. You're still worth keeping around."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37HXALRXCn
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cxnI7ZI8h
Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6uxDQygTD
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkwadzdx2K
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ao0HSRQWw
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZb3Eqr4Kp
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GZdFjxnBI
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI1iw8G1pT
–
–
–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SDhQZ41ge
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f2yteUqZ9
–From an onlooker's perspective, Rover could see why she'd get concerned stares. Even though her body locomoted tactfully in the fight, the windows to her mind made contorted, bemused shapes. And the removal of her dagger compounded that contortion.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXZvXpgTIH
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYwVmA35Gw
She threw a fist forward. It was slapped away by Boris, and he attempted a counterattack. Rover tucked her head just in time, and with the tiny space between her skull and his arm, she jumped. Boris avoided a dislocation, but Rover kept the assault with a kick from the side. It was blocked by his other hand. She slipped away just before it got caught, and using her right leg like an anchor, delivered a flurry of kicks at Boris, who went to block them.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzpZ7Ub6Ar
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxAjIObLCa
–Rover's kicks were laced. Whether it hampered or bolstered them wasn't something she knew or cared about. At some point, she forgot all about the process of kicking, her mind wandering to holes in her gut. The oozing pastries behind the glass, unable to snatch that gilded stash.
Boris quit his consecutive parries, realizing that such a task was a fool's game. He backed away, which took a moment to compute with Rover, and Boris used that moment to charge in and deliver a quick blow. Rover fortunately blocked it, and as she didn't slide across the room, she had ample leverage to pull a maneuver. She spread her arms and wrapped them around Boris, turning around and putting it over her shoulder. Boris was bigger than her, but that mattered little with her strength. She threw him onto the ground, and his back's unceremonious clash with the floor made its effects apparent on his face. However, Boris pointed his vacant hand at her and out came a burst of wind. Rover didn't have the reflexes to dodge at such a short range and went flying across the room.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6Kh5A5ov2
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsoxZM3Jfe
–Those morphing cakes reeked of red. Its verdant smell commanded her to smash the glass, but she was smarter than that. She knew that if she broke the shield, she'd lose on the spot. And that couldn't happen. Her blood boiled to steam. Her teeth ground themselves to powder. It was inevitable, seeing as that's how it always went.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGoxOy2CqF
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YaU5KzpH9
Boris jumped up from the floor right as Rover landed on it. She struggled to get back on her feet, as the blow from his spell sent her head into a frenzy, but she made do with her wobbly knees. Boris charged forth and tackled with his shoulder. Rover tried to block it, and though she avoided any serious damage, she was swept off her feet yet again. Boris followed with a kick, but right as his foot was about to connect, another gust of wind blew from his chest. It saved Rover from a painful blow and sent Boris soaring away, but the edges of the gust still connected, and she was back on the floor.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUOqUV5wRX
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWUETlzKYw
–When things get at arm's length, they become untouchable. But the obstacle isn't always a protective pane of glass. Sometimes it's a shelf, one just high enough so it's out of your reach. Rover jumped for years, but every time her legs grew stronger, or her arms grew longer, the shelf grew with her, but always a little more. Eventually, her fiddling fingertips couldn't even brush it.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4QNUT3IQd
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwhm8BWfCC
Rover fought yet again to get her feet to the ground. She wiped her mouth with her arm and spat out blood-infused spit. She must've cut her inner cheek.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5UwhdtNui
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK9qZKvBY4
Boris was far away from her, but charing with full awareness. His pace slugged from before, it was clear to Rover that the explosion still affected him. She used that thought to muster her remaining strength and met Boris' charge head-on. The two entered a series of throwing and avoiding fists, and Rover's superior speed gave her an edge. She landed blows square in the chest, and as she hit his pores, they immediately constricted. Rover cared little as to what that meant and kept bashing, but then Boris landed a fist into her cheek. She rolled with the hit as well as she could before rounding back with her strongest punch yet. It landed right into Boris' palm. He twirled his arm, a clear attempt to break Rover's own, but she had experience with such tricks. She put her free hand onto Boris' and jumped, countering his rotation with her own, and kicking him in the head. But Boris didn't release his grasp, and instead threw Rover up and punted her gut.
–There was almost no doubt in her mind of what would happen. It was inevitable, in spite of her struggle. She was going to lose. Would she die? She knew Boris well enough, and so she knew she wouldn't. But to her, no future existed beyond the time of her loss. No prospects are had at the precipice of failure. It was like the blackness of recollecting one's memory as a fetus. But if these rotten thoughts were all that were within her, then maybe she could've squeezed out a tie.
Rover fell to the ground, wheezing and panting, remnants of her stomach escaping from her mouth. She expected an immediate attack and braced herself, but such an attack never came–
**THUD**282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhzUO1GRDG
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPonCYVE1fk
Rover ate a kick to the face. She rolled across the ground but stopped herself quickly. Her right eye was covered in red, but she could see Boris even through a blizzard. He stomped to her, but Rover didn't move. She reached into the sheath and grabbed the hilt of her dagger, and right as Boris was in range to attack, she threw the weapon at her.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EBEnk82Ro
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3AnKvSkXv
–There were chains around her arms, doubts in and out of hiding, pouncing and making escapes with military expertise. There was guilt in her limbs, the ones she used to seal the oath she carelessly shattered. There was anger in her stomach, the one that was always there, residing like a parasite but pulsing now as if it was bound to burst. There was sorrow in her heart, the one she used to fuel words about things she just didn't understand. The one she used to hope. But one affliction was chief among them all.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWQ0BFcjzO
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OOIIkPrlA
Boris was caught off guard, but not as much as Rover hoped. He just raised one of his arms and let the dagger pierce right through. Boris' screaming was nearly musical to her. Blood leaked from the edges; it was clear the dagger was like a clog. But even so, Boris pulled the dagger out of his arm and sealed the blood-spewing hole with his fingers, performing mana spinning.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp8jEIB6LC
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh8JfUlkYK
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvC2XaGF2T
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57lSS0eCY0
Rover tried to get up and attack. After all, he was right in front of her, making himself vulnerable. She tried, and she was able to get her upper body off the floor, but Boris kept her down with another kick to the chin. Any strength to rise departed, and all Rover could do was watch as Boris approached.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymudDWT2e4
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvtXuy0jv4
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cCdSWhKyd
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Hge3mlh2
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0m7levG4D
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87r66hLXu4
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkChW6ZDH6j
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgZKYk9boW
"You... ass."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYo5S5QAMy
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTDf4Regfc
Boris stopped before her legs, staring at them while pinching his chin. Rover couldn't begin to imagine what was going on in his head. But she kept on scowling, even hissing at him as if the action would deter him at all.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFAwgw5fKZ
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1aUWns2n5
"You're not crawling away?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslkq0dk0NN
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUtOmXPIxP
"...I'm not a damn worm."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0J8FWXoaz
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm0Y8Y7JPB
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn4UqmbAuF
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1FnTmMqCG
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVzhYHQqMG
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUPoEaBZso
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqXrnStk2d
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA9VIvROS0
He grabbed her left leg by the ankle, and as he did so, he began mana expulsion. He formed a great club of earth in his hand and walked over to her hip. Immediately, Rover knew what was going to happen. She moved her arm in an attempt to slap it away, but her hands couldn't reach him.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rskPe1qrx
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBcyrh1C3R
But, she still tried. As Boris raised the club above his head, the corners of her eyes were taken by darkness. More and more area, subjugated by black until only the very center of her pupils had the ability to look. They stared at the club, as it stood motionless above his head, and she knew any second it would come down, and she knew any second she would be made a fool.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIJsdmwIXL
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHTHfGjnBN
And she couldn't do a thing.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEx2MHwpje
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sfe9xc8QW
–Frustration. It was her frustration. The object of her long-lived hatred, its ambassador stood right there. But she was being beaten down like a dog. An injured mutt who had to limp on all but one of its legs, even unable to beg. At the edge of achieving her dream, her ultimate goal, she was forced to watch it slip further and further away. And then she realized, she couldn't destroy Hard-Bringer. And then she realized, she couldn't even scratch it. And then she realized, she'd have to wait again, and then train again, and then search again, and then despair again. And as the final blow of the battle came, only two words sprung from her mind:282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZNlfetziz
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCGQiCuSUB
Sorry, mom–282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK34NqIRhfa
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwi4ikW4uN
**CRACK**282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTqgrV6G0p
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2VQDKNVWW
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibCkYUSNTF
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY5IUxeASr
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq3i13Y8RG
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Vk7HczX7
"And there goes your leg."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENgrE8jK3d
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFgwErRBAm
She knew of no word to describe the sensation. Seething, writhing, pounding, shocking,
burning, aching, twitching, pulsing, churning– nothing came to her mind to describe it. The shattering of her femur, shooting fragments of bone like shrapnel to the lining of her skin, but not enough to pierce it. As if dozens of bugs drilled through her flesh, as if an entire home landed on her leg– that's what it was like.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0I36SuZuf
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtV5gB6mPb
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoJuMLCpD3
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae7KMZ7SFR
She couldn't even move to clutch her leg, to soothe it in any way. The most she could do was groan and yell and grit her teeth, but none of that was possible at once, and when her focus got captivated by his words the way it did, the pain exponentiated.
"Dogs like you– they like to hunt alone. But the moment they face something threatening, they bite just short of drawing blood. Maybe then, you're a defective wolf."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsbijzTBSm
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xvwJao6bS
Boris uncrouched and stepped away as a club of earth spat from a pore. He was clearly haggard, limping as he walked away, hardly able to move one leg before the other. That was the only consolidation Rover was afforded; a tiny solace within the sea of agony.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkA4hTLCrK
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVGtlHbrpl
But those words of his stole it away.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx5e8ygtSx
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePRm27aVZI
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwbCHc1AvN
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1WwHtJ2XT
Boris continued limping away until he reached the wall. Then, reeling his fist back, he smashed the glass panes open. He looked down and whistled before turning around and looking at Rover.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaocLByQb6
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bXgFvP6tj
She wanted to scream, but all the efforts of her throat and lungs were channeled to ease her suffering. And oh, how she hated it. How she hated the grin of his face, an arrangement of his teeth and mouth designed for eating feces. He waved her goodbye and jumped off while cackling like a witch.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVw3ZSEOks
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9Yg6Ki1tJ
No strength to draw, no will to push. All Rover could do was lay there and cope, lamenting her loss and that wretched monster's words.
